Index table



June ,2, 1953 J. VERDERBER 2,640,400

INDEX TABLE Filed May 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOSEPH vezoezasz 2o BY h TTOBJVEY Patented June 2, 1 953 TENT OFFICE INDEX TABLE Joseph Verderber, Cleveland, hio, assignor to The Cleveland Universal Jig Company, Cleveland, Dhio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 26, 1949, Serial No. 95,433 14 Claims. (01. 90-57) n This invention relates, as indicated, to an index table.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an index table which is well adapted for supporting work during heavy milling or boring operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an index table of the character described, having novel indexing means and means for actuating the same. A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character described, having a novel locking mechanism for eliminating vibration of the table as well as strain on the indexing means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character described, in which the indexing means and locking mechanism are actuated in a predetermined sequence, by a single actuating handle or crank, thereby assuring proper sequence of functioning of same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character described, in which the table top rotates with extreme ease.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character described, having novel means for supplying a lubricant to essential operating parts of the table at predetermined intervals. r

. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

i Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an index table embodying the invention; 0

, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the table, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the lines 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;;

Fig. '7 is an elevational View of the eccentric collar on the drive shaft;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the lower cam pins;

0 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the upper cam pins, and

i Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view, showing certain parts of the index table.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the index table will be seen to comprise a base having a circular top I, an annular skirt 2,which depends from the peripheral portion of the top,

and a hub portion 3 depending from the'central portion of the top into the space defined by the skirt 2.

A portion of the periphery of the top I is removed to provide an annular rib 4 and an annular recess 5 adjacent this rib, and extending upwardly from the top I, adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, is a pair of spaced concentric annular ribs Band 1 forming a track or raceway 8 therebetween.

Extending radially-outwardly from the hub portion 3 of the base, at points spaced degrees apart, are bosses 9, l0 and II, from which reinforcing ribs l2 extend, these ribs extending to the inner face of the skirt 2. The ribs have inclined lower edges 13, and are thickened in their upper portions to merge with the lower surface I4 of the top. The base is provided with radiallyextending passageways [5 which extend through the portions of the top I directly above the ribs l2, and communicate at their radially-innermost ends with vertical passageways or openings [6 which extend through the bosses 9, l0 and l I.

The base further includes a boss I! which extends inwardly from the skirt 2, into the space between those ribs which extend from the bosses 9 and l 0 of the hub 3. The boss I! has an opening l8 extending therethrough, the axis of which extends radially from the axis of the base, and disposed within this opening is a shaft l9. The shaft l9 has rigidly secured thereto, intermediate its ends, a sleeve 20 which rotates in the opening l8. The sleeve 20 is provided with an annular groove 2!, into which the nose 22 of a set screw 23 extends, the screw serving to prevent axial displacement of the shaft l9 from the opening IS. The shaft I9 has a hexagonal outer end 24, whereby the shaft is driven, and has rigidly secured to its inner end a collar 25 provided with a pin 26, the axis of which is offset from the axis of the shaft 19- Between the sleeve 20 and collar 25, the shaft I!) has gear teeth cut therein to form a pinion 26.

Extending through the boss II, adjacent to but at right angles to the opening I8, is an opening 21, in which a bushing 28 is mounted, which is retained in position by a closure plate or disc 29 which is secured to the base, as by screws 30. The bushing has a portion of the wall thereof cut away, as at 3!, for the reception of a portion of the pinion 26. Mounted for reciprocal vertical movement in the bushing 28 is a rack 32 which is in mesh with the teeth of the pinion 26, and has a portion 33 at its upper end, forming an index pin. The bushing is provided in its upper end with grooves or recesses 34 and 35 which are disposed diametrically opposite each other, the groove 34 being in alignment with an oil groove 1 36 cut through the rib l, and the groove 35 being 3 in alignment with an oil groove 31 in the top I, which extends from the opening 2! to a counterbore 38 of an opening 39 in the hub portion 3 of the base.

The pin 26 has mounted thereon a cylindrical follower ii}, preferably made of brass tubing, and adapted for reciprocal sliding movement in a cylindrical recess 4! in plate or disc 42. The plate or disc 42 is supported on a thrust member G3, which is keyed to a pin 44 supported in a bushing 45, which, in turn, is supported in the counterbore 38 of the base. The thrust member 43 is supported on a washer 36 which is secured against the lower face of the thrust member by means of a nut 51 which is threadedly secured to the lower end of the pin 44. The plate or disc 42 is adapted to be rotated through a predetermined arc, about the thrust member &3, and in order to permit this rotation, without causing binding between the parts, the plate 42 has a spherical lower surface 48 which rests on a complementary spherical upper surface 49 f the thrust member. The bushing 45 has a groove M! in its upper end, which groove is in alignment with the inner end of the oil groove 31.

The disc or plate 32 has mounted therein at points spaced 120 degrees from each other circumferentially of the disc, pins having heads 52 provided with cam faces 53 inclined in a direction circumferentially of the disc, the faces of all of the pins being inclined in the same direction. Supported by the cam faces 53 of these pins are pins 5d which are mounted for vertical sliding movement in the openings It in the base, pins 54 having faces 55 at their lower ends which are inclined to correspond to the inclination of the cam faces 53. The inclination of the faces '53 and 55 is about 6 degrees to the horizontal. The pins 54 have faces 56 at their upper ends, which are inclined at 45 degrees to the horizontal, the direction of inclination being at right angles to the direction of inclination of the faces 55.

The faces 56 of the pins 54 are in engagement with similarly inclined faces 51 at the radially-innermost ends of pins or rods 58 which are mounted for sliding axial movement in the openings or passageways l5 of the base. The pins or rods 58 are provided at their radiallyoutermost ends with inclined faces 59, inclined similarly to the faces 51, but in an opposite direction.

The base i is also provided with a base flange 5E3, whereby the table may be bolted, clamped, or otherwise rigidly secured to the surface of a machine tool in connection with which the table is used. Secured to the base I, in radial alignment with the center of the index bolt is a guide pin 6! having a pointer 62.

The index table further includes a table proper (53, having T-slots 54 in its upper surface, for facilitating securement to the table of the work. This table is rotatable about the upper portion of the pin 45, and is provided in its underface, adjacent the periphery thereof, with an annular recess 65, forming a track or raceway 66, between which and the raceway 8, a series of circumferentially-spaced rollers 61 are disposed, these rollers being maintained against circumferential as well as axial displacement relatively to. each other by means of an annular cage 63, the rollers being disposed in rectangular openings 69 of the cage. The cage rests on the ribs 6 and l of the base.

The table 63 is provided with a peripheral 4 depending annular skirt having an annular recess H into which the rib 4 of the base extends, and an annular rib 12 which extends into the recess 5 of the base, this combination of ribs and recesses forming an oil seal. Directly above the recess H and rib- 12, the skirt Til has an annular recess 13 therein, the lower surface 14 of which is inclined to correspond with the inclination of the faces 59 of the pins 58.

The table 63 is also provided with a recess F5 in which is mounteda bushing 76 which is adapted to receive the index pin 33, for the purpose of locking the table to the base. The

recess 15 thus defines one of the stations of the index table, and while only one such recess is shown, it will be readily understood that the table may be provided with any desired number of such recesses, defining additional stations. The skirt H1 is provided with index marks 11, each mark being disposed in radial alignment with a recess 15, so as to furnish an indication, with the guide pointer 62, of the location of a station. The table is also provided in its underface with a recess 78 having an arcuate upper wall 19, the function of which will be presently explained.

The base I has formed integrally therewith a boss 80, in which a cylinder ii! is mounted, the cylinder having a rectangular base 82 which is secured to the lower face of the boss 80 by means of screws 83. The base 82 is provided with an oil inlet opening 84 which communicates with the lower end of the cylinder, and with an oil outlet opening 85, which also communicates with the lower end of the cylinder. The opening 84 is provided with a check valve 86, and extending from the opening 8A is a tube 81, which extends through an opening 88 in the base to a groove 89 cut through the rib I. The cylinder is also provided with diametrically opposed slots 90 in its upper end, which slots accommodate a roller 9! supported in the upper end of the plunger 92, which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 3|. The roller 9! is normally urged into engagement with the lower surface of the table 63 by means of a compression coil spring 93 which is interposed between the lower end of the plunger and the base of the cylinder 8|.

The cylinder and plunger form an oil pump, the operation of which may be described as follows:

During rotation of the table, as the recess 18 reaches the roller 9|, the effect of the spring 93 is to cause the roller to enter the recess, the roller riding along the arcuate wall 18 of this recess. This causes the plunger 92 to move upwardly, thereby sucking oil into the cylinder 8| through the check valve from the oil sump formed within the base I of the table. As the roller 9| leaves the recess, the plunger 9! is moved downwardly, forcing the oil through the tube 81 through the groove 89 and into the roller raceway. Some of this oil also flows out of the raceway through the grooves 36, 34,35 and 31, thereby providing lubrication for the rack 32 and pin 44. In this way, the moving parts of the index table are periodically lubricated.

The operation of the index table may be briefly described, as follows:

With one of the index openings or recesses 15 disposed above the index pin 33, the shaft I9 is rocked by means of a crank applied to the end thereof, to cause the index pin 33 to enter the bushing 16, thereby locking the table 63 against rotation. After the index pin has been thus moved to table locking position, continued rotation of the shaft I9 causes the plate 42 to turn sufliciently to cause the cam faces 53 of the pins 5| to elevate the pins 54, which, in turn, causes the rods 58 to move radially outwardly to bring the faces 59 thereof into frictional wedging engagement with the surface 14 of the recess 13, thereby locking the table to the base. This provides extreme rigidity for the table, where such rigidity is required, as in milling operations. It also eliminates vibration of the table as well as undue strain on the index pin. It will be noted, in this connection, that the table can be locked in this manner only after the index pin enters the bushing 16, and that the table can be rotated only after the table has been. unlocked (by reverse rotation of the shaft 19) and withdrawal of the index pin. The proper sequence of functioning of the indexing and locking means is thus assured.

It is thus seen that I have provided an index table which is well adapted for heavy milling or boring operations, and which is equipped with an internal locking mechanism for locking the table to the base, thereby eliminating vibration and strain on the index pin. It will also be seen that for convenience and safety, the index pin and locking mechanism are controlled by a single operating handle or crank; one movement of the handle moving the index pin operating the locking mechanism, in proper order.

The table top rotates with extreme ease, since it rests on precision rollers which are guided by a retainer ring, and run on raceways which are preferably hardened and ground. The built-in automatic lubricating system requires only an infrequent change of oil, and efiicient oil seals retain the oil and exclude dirt and other foreign matter.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an indexing table, a base, a rotatable top mounted on said base, said base having radial openings therein, pins mounted for reciprocal sliding movement in said openings, and means for moving said pins radially-outwardly relatively to said base to cause said pins to frictionally engage said top and lock the latter against rotation.

2. An indexing table, as defined in claim 1, in which said pins have inclined ends for frictionally engaging said top.

3. An indexing table, as defined in claim 2, in which said table top has an inclined annular surface adapted to be frictionally and wedgingly engaged by the inclined ends of said pins.

4. In an indexing table, a base, a rotatable top mounted on said base, an index pin mounted on said base for vertical reciprocal movement, said base having radial openings therein, rods mounted in said openings for radially-outward movement relatively to said base for frictionally engaging said top to lock the latter against rotation, and means for actuating said pin and rods in a predetermined sequence.

5. An indexing table, as defined in claim 4, in

which said actuating means includes a single actuating handle.

6. An indexing table, as defined in claim 4, in which said rods have inclined ends for frictionaliy engaging said top.

7. An indexing table, as defined in claim 4, in which said rods have inclined ends, and said top has an inclined annular surface adapted to be frictionally and wedgingly engaged by said inclined ends of said rods.

8. In an indexing table, a base, a rotatable top mounted on said base and provided with an index .pin receiving recess, an index pin mounted on said base for movement into said recess, cam means mounted on said base and slidably engageable with said top to lock said top against rotation by a wedging action applied to said top, and means operative to move said index pin into said recess, continued actuation of said last-named means moving said cam means to lock said top against rotation.

9. An indexing table, as defined in claim 8, in which said operative means includes a single actuating handle.

10. An indexing table, as defined in claim 8, in which said recess is a vertical recess in the underside of said top, and said index pin is mounted on said base for vertical reciprocal movement.

11. In an indexing table, a base, a rotatable top mounted on said base and provided with an index pin receiving recess, an index pin mounted on said base for vertical reciprocal movement relatively to said recess, said base having radial openings therein, rods mounted in said openings for radially-outward movement relatively to said base for frictionally engaging said top to lock the latter against rotation by a wedging action applied to said top, and means operative to move said index pin into said recess and said rods radially-outwardly in a predetermined sequence, in which the index pin is first moved upwardly and the rods are then moved outwardly.

12. An indexing table, as defined in claim 11, in which said last-named means includes a single actuating handle.

13. An indexing table, as defined in claim 11, in which said rods have inclined ends for frictionally engaging said top.

14. An indexing table, as defined in claim 11 in which said rods have inclined ends, and said top has an inclined annular surface adapted to be frictionally and wedgingly engaged by said inclined ends of said rods.

JOSEPH VERDERBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 989,006 Hanson Apr. 11, 1911 1,675,150 Andrew June 26, 1928 1,737,002 De Vlieg Nov. 26, 1929 1,956,883 Verderber May 1, 1934 2,114,911 Burt Apr. 19, 1938 2,183,362 Zimmermann et al. Dec. 12, 1939 2,239,260 Turrettini Apr. 22, 1941 2,329,756 Granberg Sept. 21, 1943 2,364,478 Schreiber Dec. 5, 1944 2,447,808 Marsilius Aug. 24, 1948 2,450,931 Bault Oct. 12, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 572,529 Great Britain Oct. 11, 1945 608,048 Great Britain Sept. 19, 1948 

